Elevating truck



June 9, 1931.

H. s. GERMOND ELEVATING' TRUCK Filed Oct. 10. 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS June 9, 1931. H. s. GERMOND ELEVATING TRUCK Filed Oct. 10, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATI'ORN EYS June 9; 1931. s, GERMQNDV 1,809,551

ELEVATING TRUCK Filed Oct. 10 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEYS nected thereto.

Patented June 9, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT @FFIQE HENRY S. GEBIZIOND, 0F BAYONNE, NEEV ELEVATING raven Application filed October 10, 1929. Serial No. 398,612.

platform being locked in elevated position by a latch mechanism. More particularly the invention relates to that type of elevating trucks including a member movable substantially vertically in or parallel to the axis of swivel of the steering wheels which is connected to the draft handle and separably connected by a link to the platform so that. the platform can be elevated by swinging of the handle in vertical planes with the handle in any of the usual steering positions.

One object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved latch mechanism for such a truck which shall be subjected to a minimum friction between the interlocking parts and consequently withstand long and hard use.

Another object is to provide such a latch mechanism for elevating trucks comprising a gravitating latch hook having a cylindrically curved surface cooperating with a corresponding cylindrical portion of a keeper r0 tatable beneath the hook which also has means to dislodge the hook upon rotation of the keeper, whereby a minimum of friction occurs betweenthe hook and the keeper and quick and easy disengagement thereof is possible. I

' A further object is to provide a novel and improved means for disconnecting said link 49 from the draft handle simultaneously with the release of the latch mechanism to eliminate possibility of injury to the operator byupward swinging of the handle upon descent of the platform with the handle con- Other objects are to provide means for returning the latch keeper to its normal latching position simultaneously with the connection of the platform to the draft handle; to

59 providenovel and improved means for elevating the platform with a step-by-step motion and to obtain other advantages and results as will be brought out by the following description.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which corresponding and like parts are designated throughout the several views by the same reference characters,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of an elevating truck embodying my invention showing the elevating platform in its lowermost position.

Figure 2 is asimilar view showing the platform raised to the first step in its elevation.

Figures 3 and 4 are similar views showing respectively the beginning and ending of the second step in the elevation of the platform.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the truck shown in Figure 2 Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 66 of Figure 2, and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line .7--7 of Figure 5 showing the manner of releasing the latch lever fromthe keeper.

In the specific embodiment of the invention shown on the drawings, the reference character A designates the frame of the truck which may be of any suitable construction and is mounted at the rear end on wheels 1 journaled on a transverse shaft 2 (see Fig. 6). The forward end of the frameA is provided substantially centrally of its width with. a king pin 3 revolubly journaled in the frame and carrying at its lower end a pair of steering wheels 4, this construction enabling the truck to be steered by rotation of the king pin 3.

An elevating and load sustaining platform B ismounted on the frame A in such I a manner that the truck may be pushed beneath a load which is spaced from the floor by means of skids, the said platform being adapted to be elevated on the frame A to raise the load from the floor onto the truck. Any suitable means may be utilized for so mounting the platform on the same, but in the present instance a pair of parallel links 5 is shown as pivotally connectedbetween the '1 links 5.

frame A and the platform B at each end so that forward motion of the plat-form causes oscillation of the parallel links 5 which in turn raises the platform on the main frame, All of the above-mentioned construction is old and well-known, and. no claim to novelty is based thereon.

For the purpose of drawing the truck from place place and steering the same, the king pin 3 may have secured thereto a bracket 6 formed with two upwardly projecting spaced ears 7 between which is pivotally mounted between its ends on a pin 8 a draft handle 9, said handle being adapted to swing about its pivot 8 in vertical planes and to revolve the king pin 3 by swinging of the handle in horizontal planes so as to steer the truck. The handle is provided at one end with handholds for drawing the truck, and said handle is also adapted to be operatively connected with the platform B to draw the same forwardly so as to oscillate the links 5 and elevate the platform.

A sleeve 11 is slidably mounted on the king pin 3 above the frame A and is provided at its lower and upper ends respectively with substantially semi-circular flanges 12 and 13 having upwardly facing grooves 120 and 130 to cooperate with a hooked end 140 011 one end of a link 14 pivotally connected at its other end to the forward end of the platform B. The end of t ie draft handle opposite the handholds is pivotally connected as at 15 to one end of a link 16 the other end of which is pivotally connected to an ear 17 on the upper end of the sleeve 11. The link 14 may be connected to the forward end of the platform in any suitable manner, but in the present instance I have shown the link rigidly connected to a shaft 141 on the front side of a skid stop 18 which forms the forward end of the platform B and is adapted to engage a skid to limit the movement of the truck beneath the skid bearing a load which it is desired to elevate and transport by the truck.

When the platform B is in its normal lowermost position, the link 14 is swung rearwardly into a substantially vertical position against the skid stop 18, as shown by dot and dash lines in Figure 1, and in this position the handle 9 is free for drawing and steering the truck. lVhen it is desired to elevate the platform B, the handle 9 is swung upwardly into a substantially vertical position, as shown in Figure 1, which lowers the sleeve 11 to the top of the frame A after which the link 14 is swung forwardly, so that the hook 140 lies in the groove 120 of the sleeve. The handle 9 is then swung downwardly in a vertical plane, as indicated by Figure 2, whereby the sleeve 11 is raised upon the king pin 3 and the platform B pulled forwardly and elevated by oscillation of the The platform is locked in elevated position by a latch mechanism generally designated C and about to be described.

As shown on the drawings the pivotal connection of the forward links 5 with the platform B comprises a rotatable shaft 19 extending transversely of the platform. Fixed upon this shaft at substantially the center thereof, as by means of a keyed connection 20, is a sleeve or keeper 21 having a substantially cylindrical portion 22 concentric with the shaft, with which is arranged to cooperate a latch lever 23 pivotally connected at one end as at 24 to the forward end of the frame A so that its other end swings by action of gravity into substantially the path of movement of the sleeve 21 as the platform is raised. Such downward movement of the latch lever is limited by a lug 25 on the pivoted end which engages the frame. The free end of the latch lever 23 has an arcuate hook portion 26 substantially corresponding with the cylindrically curved portion 22 of the keeper, and the extremity of thelatch lever has an inclined portion 27 in which is engaged by the keeper 21 as the platform is raised. In operation, upon movement of the platform upwardly, the curved portion 22 of the keeper pushes the latch lever ruawardly until the curved portion of the keeper coincides with the hook portion 26 of the latch lever, whereupon the latch lever falls by gravity into engagement with the keeper as shown on Figure 2 of the drawings, so as to hold the platform in partially elevated position.

For disengaging the latch lever from the keeper when it is desired to lower the platform, the keeper has a cam portion 28 which upon rotation of the keeper in the direction of the arrow in Figure 2 engages the extremity of the latch lever and pushes the same upwardly out of engagement with the keeper as shown in Figure 7 of the drawings.

For rotating the keeper, the latter may be provided with a foot lever 30. It will be observed that due to the cylindrically curved surface 22 of the keeper, there will be a mini mum of friction between the latch lever and the sleeve so that wear of the keeper and latch lever is reduced to a minimum. Furthermore, there is little likelihood of the latch lever becoming accidentally disengaged from the keeper.

Another feature of the invention is to disconnect the link 14 from the sleeve 11 simultaneously with the disengagement of the latch lever from the keeper 21 whereby the possibility of the platform suddenly descending with the link connected to the sleeve in such a manner as to suddenly jerk the handle upwardly is obviated. For this purpose the keeper 21 may be provided with an arm 5 1 which is connected by a link 82 to an arm 38 on a collar 34 fast connected to the shaft 141. This mechanism may also be utilized for efliciently throwing the link 14 from its idle position shown by dot and dash lines in Figure 1 into engagement with the sleeve 11, simultaneously with the rotation of the keep or 21 to return the cam 28 to its neutral position. This may be accomplished by providing a foot lever 35 on the shaft 141. Ohviously by depressing the foot lever 35 from the dot and dash position shown in Figure 1, the link 14 will be thrown forwardly and the keeper 21 will be rotated in-the direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow in Figure 2 to move the cam 28 out of a position which would interfere with the engagement of the latch lever with the keeper.

Another feature of the invention is to provide a step-by-step elevation of the platform. In the construction so far described the platform is elevated one step and through only partof its upward movement. For moving the platform upwardly to its uppermost limit, the link 14 is moved from the position shown in Figure 2 into engagement with the upper flange 18 as shown in Figure 3. When the handle 9 is neXt pushed downwardly the sleeve is elevated so as to raise the platform into the position shown in Figure 4. For holding the platform in this position, the latch. lever is provided with a second hook portion 36 to engage the keeper 21, the keeper sliding under the latch lever on its movement from the position shown in Figure 2 into the position shown in Figure 4 until the hook portion 36 coincides with the cylindrically curved portion 22 of the keeper. Between the two hook portions 26 and 36, the latch lever is formed with a lug 37 to be engaged by the cam 28 in. a manner similar to that in which the cam 28 engages the portion 27 of the lever so asto disengage the hook portion 36 from the keeper 21 and permit the platform to descend. The speed of descent of the platform and the relative arrangement of the engaging surfaces of the latch lever 23 and the keeper 21 are such that the platform may descend in one movement form the uppermost position to the lowermost position and without intermediate interruption by engagement of the keeper 21 with the hook portion 26.

With this construction it will be observed that the truck may be steered under ordinary conditions without throwing the link 14 rearwardly, due to the lateral play between the grooves 120 and 130 and the hook 140. It will also be understood that it is impossible to lower the platform without disconnection of the link 14 from the sleeve 11, which is readily accomplished loya downward push upon the foot lever 30, so that possibility of injury to the operator by a sudden upward swing of the handle as the platform descends eliminated. The two foot levers or treadles 30 and 35 are on opposite sides of the truck and so arranged thatnone is inaccessible while I the other is exposed for operation, whereby confusion of the operator is impossible and neither 'treadle can be operated erroneously for the other.

I have found that the projection or cam 28 on the keeper 21 isnot necessary, since simple rotation of the keeper causes the latch lever to be disengaged due to the frictional contact of the two parts. However the cam makes the action more positive.

lVhile I have shown and described the invention as embodied in certain details of construction it will be understood that this is primarily for the purpose of illustrating the principles of the invention and that many modifications and changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. An elevating truck, comprising a frame, an elevating platform mounted thereon for composite vertical and horizontal movement, means for elevating said platform, a latch mechanism comprising a rotatable keeper having a curved surface and a pivotal hook to engage over said curved surface when said platform is raised, one arranged on said frame and the other on said platform, said keeper having a projection which upon rotation of the keeper engages said hook and dislodges it from said keeper, and means for rotating said keeper in one direction.

2. An elevating truck, comprising a frame, an elevating platform mounted thereon for composite vertical and horizontal movement, means for elevating said platform, means for operatively connecting and disconnecting said platform to and from said elevating means, a latch mechanism including a hook and a keeper for holding said platform in elevated position, and means for simultane ously disengaging said hook from said keeper and actuating the second-mentioned means to disconnect said platform from said elevating means.

i 3. An elevating truck, comprising a frame, an elevating platform mounted thereon for vertical and horizontal movement, means for elevating said platform, means for operatively connecting and disconnecting said platform to and from said elevating means, a latch. mechanism' comprising a rotatable keeper having a curved surface and apivotal hook to engage over said curved surface when said platform is raised, one arranged on said frame and the other on said platform, said keeper having a projection which upon rotation of the keeper engages said hook and dislodges it from said keeper, means for rotating said keeper in one direction, and an operative connection between said keeper and the second-mentioned means for actuating the latter to disconnect said platform from said elevating means as said. keeper is so rotated.

4. An elevating truck, comprising a frame, an elevating platform mounted thereon for composite vertical and horizontal movement, means for elevating said platform, means for operatively connecting and disconnecting said platform to and from said elevating means, a latch mechanism comprising a rotatable keeper having a curved surface and pivotal hook to engage over said curved surface when said platform is raised, one arranged on said frame and the other on said platform, said keeper having a projection which upon rotation of the keeper engages said hook and dislodges it from said keeper, means for rotating said keeper in one direction, an operative connection be tween said keeper and the second-mentioned means for actuating the latter to disconnect said platform from said elevating means as said keeper is so rotated, and a foot lever to actuate said second-mentioned means to connect said platform to said elevating means and to rotate said keeper in the other direc tion.

5. An elevating truck, comprising a frame, an elevating platform mounted thereon for composite vertical and horizontal movement, means for elevating said platform, means for operatively connecting and disconnecting said platform to and from said elevating means, a latch mechanism comprising a rotatable keeper having a curved surface and a pivotal hook to engage over said curved surface when said platform is raised, one arranged on said frame and the other on said platform, said keeper having a projection which upon rotation of the keeper engages said hook and dislodges it from said keeper, means for rotating said keeper in one direction including a foot lever, an operative connection between said keeper and the second-mentioned means for actuating the latter to disconnect said platform from said elevating means as said keeper is so rotated, and a foot lever for actuating said second-mentioned means to connect said platform to said elevating means and to rotate said keeper in the other direction, said levers being located at opposite sides of the truck and disposed so that operation of each renders it inaccessible and the other accessible, whereby confusion of the two levers is impossible.

6. An elevating truck comprisii'ig a fraiine, an elevating platform mounted thereon for composite horizontal and vertical movement, means for elevating the platform, a latch mechanism including a rotatable keeper having a coaxial cylindrically curved portion and a cam portion, and a latch hook pivoted at one end and having an arcuate portion at its other end corresponding to said cylindrical portion to engage over the latter as the platform is elevated to hold the platform in elevated position, one mounted on rsoa551 said platform and the other on said frame, and means for rotating said keeper to cause contact of said cam portion with said hook and dislodge the latter from said keeper.

7. An elevating truck comprising a frame, a pin iournalcd in one end of the frame, an elevating platform mounted on said frame for vertical movement, a sleeve vertically movable on said pin and having a plurality of arcuate flanges spaced longitudinally thereof and each provided with an upwardly facing groove, a link having one end pivotally connected to said platform and formed at its other end with a hook to enter each of said grooves so that raising of said sleeve elevates said platform, a handle pivotally mounted intermediate its ends upon said pin and an op eii'ative connection between said sleeve and said handle so that swinging of the handle in. vertical planes raises and lowers said sieeve, whereby said link may be successively engaged with said grooves from the lowest the highest to raise said platform stepbystep, and a latch mechanism for holding said platform in elevated position at each step of its movement.

8. An elevating truck comprising a frame, a )in journaled in one end of the frame, an levating platform mounted on said frame for vertical movement, a sleeve vertically movable on said pin and having a plurality of arcuate flanges spaced longitudinally thereof and each provided with an upwardly facing groove, a link having one end pivotally connected to said platform and formed at its other end with hook to enter each of said oov-es so that raising of said sleeve elevates said platform, a handle pivotally mounted intermediate its ends upon said pin, an operi e connection between said sleeve and said ndle so that swinging of the handle in vertn l planes raises and lowers said sleeve, whereby said link may be successively engaged with said grooves from the lowest to the highest to raise said platform step-bystep, a latch mechanism including a rotatable keeper having a coaxial cylindrically curved portion and a cam portion, and a latch hook pivoted at one end and having two arcuate portions corresponding to said curved portion of said keeper one to engage said keeper at each of the steps of movement of said platforrn to hold the latter in elevated position, said latch hook and said keeper being meaned respectively on the frame and said platform, and means for rotating said keeper to cause engagement of said cam portion with hook and to dislodge the latter from said l-TGGPQI.

fin elevating truck, comprising a frame, an elevating platform mounted thereon for composite vertical. and horizontal movement, means for elevating said platform, a latch mechanism comprising a rotatable keeper having a curved surface and a pivotal hook to engage over said surface when said platform 1s raised, one arranged on said frame and the other on said platform, so that rotation of the keeper in one direction dislodges the hook from the keeper, and means for rotating said keeper in one direction.

10. An elevating truck, comprising a frame, an elevating platform mounted thereon for composite vertical and horizontal movement, means for elevating said platform,

a latch mechanism comprising a rotatable keeper and a pivotal hook to engage over said keeper when said platform is raised, one arranged on said frame and the other on said platform, said keeper having a projection which upon rotation of the keeper engages said hook and dislodges it from said keeper, v

and means for rotating said keeper in one direction.

HENRY S. GERMOND. 

